2011 Regional Winner for Most Eco-Friendly and Sustainable University in Region 8

Type/Sector

Environment

Budget

Total Project Cost: Php 15,296,000 Million

Total Amount Requested from CHED: 10,052,000.00M

Counterpart : UEP

Lot area: 5 Million

Proj. Mgt Counterpart: P 244,000.00

Project Duration and Time frame

2 years Project initiation and Building construction

- CONTINUING

Proponent’s Name

Atty. Mar P. De Asis, PhD

Myrna Nicol Ogoc, PhD

Position

UEP President

Director, Center for Environmental Studies and Advocacy, UEP

Proponent’s Organization

University of Eastern Philippines, University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar

Address

UEP campus, Catarman N. Samar

Phone

09399074757/ 09274249406

Collaborating Organization

Principal Contacts

Northern Samar Environmental Protectors Inc. (NSEP) & CESA

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR)

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

Provincial Government, Northern Samar

Dr. Mar P. De Asis

Dr. Myrna N. Ogoc

Target Number of Beneficiaries

25,000 to 30,000 Households

Target number of Municipalities/ Provinces

24 municipalities/ other provinces of Samar island

Introduction

Every year, more than 200 million people are affected by droughts, floods, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, storm surges and other natural disasters. Growing populations, environmental degradation, and global warming are making the impacts worse, creating global vulnerability towards these types of disasters, and the potential impacts on human and environmental security www.unep.fr).

Population growth and migration to areas of high risk, such as urban centers and coastal areas raise the number of people affected by hazards, environmental change and degradation that further contribute to disaster statistics. According to the 2009 global assessment report on disaster risk reduction, ecosystems degradation is one of the major drivers of disaster risk.

But in spite of the increased attention, interest, and sense of urgency in understanding and responding to climate change and disaster risks, social causes and consequences are seldom addressed. So that the growing recognition that there may be an increasing number of disasters linked to floods, droughts, fires, and other climate-influenced events, coupled with increasing concern over the social implications of climate variability and change, calls for a much deeper and broader assessment of the connections between disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and human security.(GECHS, Report 2008:3).

It is increasingly being recognized that adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction and management must be considered as an integral element of development and poverty reduction efforts (Burton and Van Aalst, 2004). The achievement of development goals is already jeopardized by current and still intensifying level of disaster risks while vulnerability to these hazards is also increasing due to poverty, urbanization, environmental degradation and population growth (Oslo Policy Forum, 2008:DFID, 2003).

The changing climate conditions will have a myriad of impacts and underscore the vulnerabilities in all sectors of society and the economy. Addressing climate change moves beyond the environmental challenges and will have to be closely linked with economic targets and social sustainability.

Samar Island have just been hit by a very devastating, untimely and unthinkable disaster that affected the provinces of Eastern Visayas region resulting to thousands of deaths, not to mention the other damages that typhoon Yolanda brought. There were no exact words to describe the catastrophe wherein homes and the entire neighborhood have been swept away. Several forums were held about climate change and disaster risks concerns with government officials and key functionaries as participants. However, concrete efforts to address this urgent and creeping problem has yet to be seen and felt at the local level, especially at the community where mitigation, adaptation and reduction measures are most needed. This project however with the purpose of unifying efforts towards climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction from among the different agencies and the local government units headed by the academic institution to lead in this unification efforts and advocacy and working together can in some way or another simplify and ensure families and other stakeholders capacitate towards climate change adaptation and disaster risks reduction and management.

Project Summary

This project is designed to make climate change and disaster risks a normal part of the development process at the Local Government. Academic Institutions and their private and public partners especially the ground levels, the communities affected and where the most effective and direct actions can be taken to reduce physical, economic, and social vulnerability to disasters, and adapt to a changing environment. This project will build a Climate Change and Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Center in Samar island that will serve as the implementing arm and partner of the National Climate Change Commission in planning, research, extension, development and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

This project will develop best practice guidance and tools to assist Government partners and local civil society partners to incorporate DRR approaches in their emergency response and early recovery programming. This approach will reduce the vulnerability of affected communities to future emergencies, for instance by ensuring ‘disaster and climate proofing’ of well constructions (early recovery) or improving women’s position in local communities by involving them in decision taking processes regarding the access to and distribution of clean water and hygienic establishments (emergency response and early recovery), since emergency response and early recovery are often wiped out in subsequent emergencies, or offer no protection to communities in future events. For this reason, the Academic community aims to develop tools and guidelines derived from the discipline of Disaster Risk Reduction in the setting of emergency response and early recovery.

This project is expected to result in enhanced capacities of Cluster members, Government and local civil society partners to design and implement disaster response and early recovery interventions, such as to address, wherever possible, underlying causes of vulnerability and to ensure that investments made during emergency response and early recovery are disaster and climate proof.

The University of Eastern Philippines has proven its worth in catering to the needs of the community people in terms of environmental advocacy having been chosen as the Regional winner in the search for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Schools. The University’s efforts in being an eco-friendly school is enshrined in its vision of becoming a world-class university, serving a progressive region with an agro-industrial economy propelled by an empowered people enjoying peace and harmony in an ecologically balanced environment.

This project is also is in support of Republic Act 9512 known as an act “ to promote Environmental Awareness through Environmental Education and for other purposes”. Priority programs, activities will also be developed to address the urgent and immediate needs and concerns of the communities in all sectors.

This project will be implemented in a three-year period by the University of Eastern Philippines in its initial establishment as the Center for Climate Change and Disaster Risks Reduction and Management in Samar island to be funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in coordination with and involvement of the provincial government of Northern Samar ; academic/ research institutions; municipal and barangay levels in collaboration with line agencies/NGOs/ people’s organization and government organizations. Strategic partnerships will be established with other relevant organizations both public and private at the international, national, provincial, municipal, and barangay levels.

Alignment with Climate Change and DRR Strategic Guidelines Framework

An integrated, multi-hazard approach to address vulnerability, risk assessment, and disaster management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, is an essential element of a safer world in the twenty-first century (UN, 2002; UN/ISDR, 2003).

The outcomes of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) call for a strengthening of preventive measures aimed at reducing loss of human lives, and loss of economic and environmental assets of communities and countries over the next ten years. The priorities for actions were outlined in the Hyogo Framework For Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The framework supports a stronger recognition of climate change concerns in disaster risk reduction strategies and seeks to establish multi-disciplinary, forward – looking approach ( Synthesis report Nov. 2006: Linking Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Poverty Reduction)

“We know what to do. All countries, from the richest to the poorest, should build disaster risk reduction into their development and poverty reduction plans. . International donors should support the trust funds established to help poor countries cope with natural disasters.” ( Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General.

•Awareness of the people as regards environmental issues and concerns, particularly Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Climate Change Adaptation Measures. More specifically, it delves into the adoption of sound techniques for the protection and conservation of ecological balance through ecological management techniques. It builds community capacity in leadership as the project encourages participation/ cooperation of the people in the community.

•Improve health through access to improved waste disposal.

•Provide social services with empowerment and capacity building of the people while building leadership fostering engagement of the communities with the Local Government Units and the civil society organizations.

•Encourage community participation and cooperation. The same will open avenues for the identification of potential local leaders who could responsibly take on the lead role/s during the implementation of the project and continue on until the phase out.

•Improve access of marginalized or remote communities to basic services.

•Raise awareness on sound techniques for the protection and conservation of the environment while socially mobilized for collaboration with civil society organization and the local government unit.

•Promote ecological awareness, discipline, and responsiveness among the stakeholders on the importance of DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation towards Sustainability agenda.

•Initiate an awareness building endeavor for the adoption of a sound Environmental Protection Program that is within the context of maximum resource utilization, conservation and recovery, environmental protection, and health.

•Forge and strengthen partnerships among stakeholders for an effective project Implementation.

•Upgrade the standard and quality of local governance for the implementation of a successful and effective project management. It also encourages participation and cooperation among stakeholders.

•Adopt participation and coordination wherein environment\al protection becomes an obligation of the community so that maximum division of labor/cooperation and consensus will be attained.

OBJECTIVES:

This project aims to establish a Center for Climate Change and Disaster Risks Reduction and Management in Samar Island to serve as an accommodative center with windows for distinct yet interconnected initiatives among the key players in CCA and DRRM in Samar island in order to have a clear link to emergency preparedness, as it can lead to significantly less impacts from the start of disasters.

Development Objectives

•To come up with a rapid vulnerability and capacity assessment of the municipal LGUs.

•To design and employ necessary research tools to come up with a more or less accurate vulnerability-capacity assessment for cluster municipalities/ provinces by each designated teams in Samar island;

•To institute continuous information and education campaign activities related to DRR-M and CCA in all levels;

•To formulate a strategic development framework on climate change for the whole province of Northern Samar and Samar island provinces, that will serve as basis for planning for CC and DRRM, research and development;

•To help academic institutions and Local Government Units to apply knowledge of development/disaster linkages and incorporate gender sensitive DRR, mitigation and preparedness and climate change adaptation measures in local community planning processes, and development;

•To strengthen and integrate the academe in the Provincial, DRR-CCA processes as key provider of CCA-DRR products, services and knowledge (multi-hazard risk assessments, maps, analysis and DRR-CCA methodologies) for Local Government Units , academic institutions, and other users;

•To conduct trainings on natural resource conservation and management for the abatement and control of the ecosystems decline;

•To strengthen Information-data base system in providing science-based information, service, and knowledge assistance to the local government, academic and other CC- DRR proponents in implementing their CCA-DRR activities;

•To make an effective and efficient management, monitoring and evaluation system;

Expected Outputs:

•A written vulnerability assessment report of each municipality/ province in Samar island;

•Research tools in coming up with a more or less accurate vulnerability-capacity assessment for cluster municipalities in Samar island;

•Information/ education and outreachonDRR and climate change among the people and institutions of Samar island;

•Institutional arrangement and enabling environment established to facilitate participatory and concerted implementation of DRR and Climate change adaptation measures through a formulation of a strategic development framework;

•Information Technology strengthened to provide science-based information, service and knowledge assistance from the academe to the local government and other DRR and CC proponents in implementing their DRR activities and Climate change Adaptation;

•Instituted and implemented ecosystems protection and conservation strategies and projects;

•Updated Information Data Base installed in providing science-based information, service and knowledge assistance to local government, academic and local civil society;

•Construction of the Center for Climate Change and DRRM in Samar island.

Project Components:

1.Vulnerability and capacity assessment

A rapid vulnerability and capacity assessment of the municipal LGUs shall be conducted. An assessment team comprising of a geologist, environmentalist, and community development specialist shall be organized to undertake the assessment. The team shall gather, compile and review all the necessary documents that will help them in their task. They shall employ all the necessary research tools for them to come up with a more or less accurate vulnerability-capacity assessment for each municipality and the Samar island disaster situation. The team shall organized from the different provinces in the Samar island with their identified technical experts to observe the physical, geological, geographical, as well as the actual situations of communities in terms of community vulnerabilities and risks to disaster and adverse impacts of climate change. The team shall be accompanied by their project leader, who shall be the overall coordinator of the team. Also, along with the team is a video-film maker/specialist, who shall be tasked to come up with a 20-30 minute presentation about the Samar’s Disaster Situation.

• Raising awareness of local authorities, (LGU’s), local residents, and other stakeholders about the importance of natural and man-made disaster prevention and preparedness as part of the climate change adaptation measures;

• Improving environmental management and planning capabilities of stakeholders at the municipality and barangay levels.

Activities:

• Local hazard assessment and climate change adaptation measures at the municipal and barangay levels;

A.Communities will be educated on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Provinces in the Samar island will conduct hazard assessment and disaster management plan formulation workshops, trainings, and information dissemination on CCA and disaster preparedness and disaster monitoring and reporting for barangays.

B.Capabilities of academic institutions and local government units will be enhanced through:

1.build-up of geographic information systems (GIS) database for comprehensive land use planning with conscious consideration of disaster risk management;

2.formulation of comprehensive local development plans which are in accordance with the planning guidelines and standards, to include cost effective risk reduction strategies;

3.enforcement of land use ordinances and settlements regulations by the LGUs especially those in identified hazard prone areas.

4.institutionalization of a public safety and emergency management office in all municipalities;

5.capability building of local disaster coordinating councils;

3.Institutional arrangement and enabling environment

Objective:

The aim of this component is to establish an institutional arrangement and enabling environment at all sectors of the province and decentralization of all planning efforts in the implementation of disaster risk reduction measures and climate change adaptation mechanisms. Such initiative must be integrated with the decision-making process at the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels with supporting legislations, policies, and procedures, budgets and enforcement procedures. This component also support community based initiatives and partnerships and budget needed to fund activities identified by them in the DRR and CCA components.

Strategic Action:

• The passing of local regulations on climate change adaptations leading to establishment of policy, regulations and budgets.

• The establishment of the new council both at the Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay levels.

• The formulation and endorsement of the local action plan for climate change and disaster risk reduction as a reference for the development planning process.

Activities:

3.1Clarify roles and responsibilities

Academic institutions, Government agencies, and community organizations are involved or may become involved in DRR at the provincial, and community levels. This project will be instrumental in mapping out the current DRR-related activities of these units, identifying gaps or overlaps in tasks, and setting out the specific roles and responsibilities for each of them. Once those are clarified and accepted, a system that decentralizes or delegates responsibilities to municipalities and local communities will be set up in a manner that facilitates effective planning and implementation of risk reduction measures and climate change adaptations. This will clarify the roles of agencies in promoting the interests of women, youth, the elderly and disabled groups in Disaster Risk Reduction. Clarified roles and responsibilities among the various actors will contribute to the strategic positioning to fulfill their mandate in coordinating the overall disaster management initiatives within the province.

3.2Set up mechanisms for coordination

A complementary activity is to establish mechanisms to facilitate effective coordination between the many actors involved. Several steps have already been taken in this direction. This project will assist the Province in setting up and strengthening the capacity of the council and related coordination bodies where appropriate.

3.3Prepare and Implement CCA and DRR policies, legislation and regulations

This project will strengthen the already existing CCA and DRR legislation/ policies and others to assist the provinces in putting in place an enabling environment to facilitate implementation of the CCA/DRR measures. This will entail formulating policies for CCA/DRR, drafting legislation necessary to assign responsibilities to provincial and district departments and regulations specifying their functions, tasks and budgetary considerations. Some of these are already underway, but much remains to be done. This activity will include steps to encourage the agencies concerned to actively participate in contributing ideas and proposals for drafting these laws and regulations, to build a consensus on what needs to be done, and to generate a sense of ownership necessary to ensure effective implementation of these measures. Women will be actively encouraged to participate in related public hearings and consultations.

3.4Empower local communities to plan and implement activities

Equally, if not more, important in this institutional arrangement are steps to empower local communities to take the lead in designing and implementing DRR measures and climate change adaptation suited to their particular locations, since they will be primarily responsible for implementing them. This will try to provide strategies/ guidance on community empowerment for a cohesive action. These include steps to involve CBOs, youth organizations, religion-based organizations, female groups and other local organizations, and to ensure the broad participation of all segments of the community in decision making, particularly women and other groups that are often not properly consulted or represented.

This will implement projects that will try to initiate community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives/ projects to demonstrate and reduce risks from disasters and those that are sustainable. Ultimately, the design will be up-scaled through the existing local development planning process so both government agencies and communities understand the advantages of the projects and replicate with their own resources if they wish to do so.

Activities:

4.1Prepare guidelines for a CCA and CBDRR approach

This is a process to facilitate collaboration between communities, local government agencies and other stakeholders in designing and implementing measures for CCA and DRR. The preparation of the guidance will take into account the insights transpiring out of the deliberation of a CCA and CBDRR working group. This will include activities to be undertaken by each group, including support to be provided by government. It will also include methods for encouraging the active participation of women and the more disadvantaged groups, of course including DEPEd and other academic institution/ groups.

4.2Establish and Train a Core Group of CBDRR Facilitators

To assist communities and local governments to collaborate in applying the CCA and CBDRR approach, this project will form and train a core group of trainers in gender awareness and gender sensitivity facilitation topics. Initially, this group will be responsible for facilitating the application of the CCA and CBDRR approach in demonstration projects in selected municipalities and communities. Later, this group will train facilitators to replicate the approach in other districts which are interested in applying the CCA and CBDRR approach. Each participating district will be asked to select two individuals to serve as trainers / facilitators, one male and one female.

4.3Conduct Community Based Risk Assessments

The trainers will assist community representatives and staff of relevant local government agencies to conduct an assessment on disaster risks in each community. This will include the preparation of community profiles containing maps indicating hazardous areas, identification of vulnerable livelihood activities (such as off-shore fishing and coastal fish ponds), and recommendations for appropriate land uses, soil conservation and environmental measures. Particular attention on different gender and vulnerable group perceptions will be facilitated to ensure that their voices are heard and needs considered. A CCA and DRR management information system will be established.

4.4Design and implement DRR plans and initiatives

Based on the results of the risk assessment exercise described above, the staff and trainers will assist selected communities and relevant government departments to design and implement DRR plans and initiatives that include both preparedness and mitigation.

• Disaster Preparedness Plans (DPPs) to be implemented by the CBOs, local institutions, and government departments that can assist in the immediate response and recovery AFTER an emergency occurs, including school emergency evacuation drills, escape routes, hazards that affect a given community such as floods, landslides, and storm surges.

• A report containing comments and inputs for laws, regulations, and other measures proposed by districts and the province to support DRR and CCA.

• Steps to disseminate information about these plans to members of the local community, local CBOs, relevant government departments and donor agencies, taking particular note of the need to reach women and vulnerable groups in this process,.

Throughout the process of conducting risk assessments and preparing plans, steps will be taken to engage the broad participation of all members of the community particularly those whose voices are seldom heard, and to ensure that their needs are reflected in the final products.

4.5Integrate CBDRR Outputs with Planning and Budgeting Systems

The demonstration projects in selected locations will also include a component for district governments designed to integrate the CBDRR outputs into the regular planning and budgeting process. For this purpose, the project will work with government departments in selected districts to ensure that the outputs from the CBDRR planning and implementation at the community level are reflected in the development plans and programmes to be implemented by local government departments.

5.Strengthened CCA-DRR-M mechanisms to provide science-based information, service and knowledge assistance to the local government and NGOs.

Within the institutional arrangement, the Center for Environmental Studies and Advocacy (CESA) together with the Information Technology of the University of Eastern Philippines and the Northern Samar Environmental Protectors Inc. (NSEP) will serve as a resource center and an information arm on the past and potential hazards and their impacts. Financial support will be made available with the aim to becoming largely self-sustaining through the provision of services. As resources and skills are built up, the center/ unit intends to supply information and services to the government and other clients for the development of policies, programmes, and other CCA and DRR initiatives.

Activities:

5.1Develop and Implement a Five-Year Strategic Development Plan

This project will assist the PDRRMC in developing a five year strategic development plan that sets out the goals to be achieved and the activities, organizational structure, human and financial resources needed to achieve these goals. Key issues to be clarified here are the availability of funding for core functions, and the scope for generating additional income to become largely self-supporting.

This implies the need to undertake a market assessment of potential demand for its services from government and elsewhere, the nature of technical support to be provided, and the skills and materials needed to meet demand.

Another issue to resolve is the main functions to be performed by the Centre and the appropriate organizational structure to support these functions. The project will ensure that there is adequate representation of women in Research Centre management. A priori, the structure is likely to include some variations of:

• Management and administration

• Information services (including a multi-hazard information system)

• Technical assistance services

• Training and capacity building services, and

• Support for academic programs.

5.2Build Capacity to Provide Information Services

A core function of the project will be to provide information on past and potential natural hazards and DRR related activities. In collaboration with the local government and other technical organizations particularly the Center for environmental Studies and Advocacy and the Northern Samar Environmental Protectors Inc. (NSEP).

• A first step will be to conduct a survey of potential users to determine what kind of Information they need and would ideally like to obtain..

• This will be used to identify existing sources of information, including gender related research and determine what additional data needs to be generated to access it in a user-friendly manner.

• Since the skills capacity will initially be limited to the existing staff/ team, the services of an expert in Information Technology will engaged to design and set up the system. assist in forming a risk assessment unit, and train staff on how to operate, maintain and add further information to it. This will include the development of tools and methods for mapping and modeling hazard risks and vulnerabilities. This is in line with the expressed wish of the provincial government to develop the technical resource centre in supporting the local government initiatives for reducing disaster risk in general. This may include for example geo-hazard risk mapping for vulnerable areas being affected by climate changes in the area.

5.3Build Capacity to Provide Technical Assistance Services

A potentially important source for generating revenue to enable the Unit/ team to be financially sustainable is through the provision of CCA and DRR technical assistance services to government agencies, academic sectors, and the private sector.

5.4Build Capacity to Provide Training and Capacity Building Services

Another potential source for the TDMRC to generate revenue is through services for training and capacity building on DRR and climate change related matters. Again, this project will assist the Centre in developing methods for assessing needs, curricula, instruction materials, and training skills to respond to requests of this nature. All of these materials will be designed and developed with specific concern on the needs of vulnerable groups.

5.5Build Capacity to Support Academic Programmes

There is clearly a need to equip students with knowledge on disaster risks and how to address them. The faculty of each department is normally responsible for determining the scope and content of the degree programmes they offer. As such, this project will assist in developing capacity to support university departments in strengthening the CCA/DRR content of academic programmes and courses and to collaborate with them in the design and implementation of research projects related to disaster impacts and responses.

6.Institute and implement ecosystems protection and conservation strategies and projects

This component will try to institute and establish rehabilitation projects on the different ecosystems of the province. This will implement projects and or activities that will showcase DRR Management mechanisms and Climate Change Adaptations so that when disaster and climatic changes occur in an unpredictable manner, livelihood opportunities and projects of the community people will be at hand.

This output is crucial for the successful implementation of the project. The attainment of this output will ensure that the project receives appropriate and required policy direction and guidance, technical, financial, and managerial support, and that the monitoring, evaluation, and audit of the project function properly. Activities required to attain the output involve establishing a viable organizational structure, management arrangement, and supportive funding allocation, and check and control mechanism.

Objectives:

• To install a functional monitoring and evaluation system of the project;

• To organize a monitoring and evaluation team;

• To establish and implement an internal control systems/ accounting system of all project components;

• To train staff and implementers in M and E;

• To acquire M and E facilities and equipment.

Strategies:

• Formulation of an M and E system workshop;

• Planning and installation of an M and E system;

• Identification and organizing of an M and E team;

• Orientation and training for the staff and implementers supplied with manuals

• Installation of an internal control system and accounting system for all project components;

• Acquisition and distribution of necessary facilities and equipment to facilitate M and E activities.

Part II. Overall Strategy of the Program Implementation

Strategic Approach

This project seeks to support the provincial government of Northern Samar and its agencies in its effort to establish a comprehensive, government led, cross-sectoral framework of CCA and DRR processes to ensure the disasters and climate change adaptations are considered part of all academic and development practices and decision-making.

In practical terms, this means an integrated set of initiatives that enable the government and local communities to cooperate in preparing and instituting actions to forestall or minimize damages from potential natural disasters brought about by climatic changes that may threaten each community.

More specifically, the implementation of this project is based on a strategic approach using the following elements:

• Gender mainstreaming

• Accommodative framework

• Mutual reinforcement among project components

• Climate change adaptation mechanisms

• Learning lessons from experience

1.Gender mainstreaming

The gender mainstreaming strategy in disaster risk management aims to ensure that the differential needs and interests of men and women are accommodated equally. However women’s empowerment will be emphasized since women tend to be more vulnerable to disasters.

At the same time, women play significant roles in both response and relief activities and disaster risk reduction. This strategy will be rooted in:

• valuing women’s knowledge and capacity

• empowering women and women’s organizations at the local level through providing opportunities for leadership

The first element of the strategy is to allow the project to serve as an accommodative framework with windows for distinct yet interconnected initiatives. In terms of the actors, this framework will need to encompass district, provincial, and national agencies engaged in CCA and DRR.

3.Mutual reinforcement among project components

The project will be implemented by pursuing the outputs and their targets of respective project components in a simultaneous manner. The four components of the project, as will be elaborated in the later part of this document, can be commenced at approximately the same time without one component being reliant on other components to start. To optimize results, the project will ensure that the implementation of each component is synchronized with one another, so that accomplishments of one project component will reinforce and contribute to the other components in moving forward.

4.Learning lessons from experiences

This will be given special emphasis in the project, since many of the proposed outputs and their related activities entail breaking new ground. Learning from experiences will be a critical element in improving performance as the project advances.

Essentially, six steps are involved, in undertaking this element of strategy:

• Collecting data and information at periodic intervals on progress in implementation and impacts achieved;

• Producing a series of reports with analysis and interpretation of this information;

• Convening workshops or seminars for partners and interested stakeholders to review findings and determine what revisions and adjustments are needed to improve performance and effectiveness of activities;

• Making changes or revisions to work plans and operating procedures to ensure that these lessons and revisions are incorporated in future activities;

• Producing guidelines on the subject matter under review, this can be used by others.

5.Building on existing initiatives

The components of the climate change and disaster risk reduction project proposed here are designed to capitalize on the relevant initiatives undertaken by the different stakeholders.

Public awareness activities will be conducted by producing public service announcements (PSA) aired over local radio stations to reach the public irrespective of age, background, or location.

6.Ecosystems protection and conservation strategies and projects

This will enhance resilience and stability of the natural systems and communities where, at least ecosystems are protected, rehabilitated, and ecological services rendered.

Part III. Management Arrangements

Governing Principles

This project aims to operate with a limited number of core staff. Specific activities will be outsourced from partners and other organizations wherever feasible through contracts and MOAs;

• In so doing, the project will seek to decentralize tasks and build sustainable capacity among local government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector;

• Project management will place particular emphasis on documenting the best practices and lessons learned;

• Project management will also stress activities that empower local communities and strengthen the role of women and more vulnerable groups in decision making;

• Similarly, management will emphasize methods and procedures that ensure that thespecial needs of the poor and disadvantaged are taken into account and that they are not adversely affected by the proposed policies and project activities.

•The project will also seek to promote actions that reduce the vulnerability of children, for example through adoption of climate change adaptation mechanisms and disaster- resilient schools, multi-purpose evacuation centers, relocation sites, road networks, health centers and water systems.

Oversight and Implementation Arrangements

A Project Board will be formed and chaired by the University President, co- chaired by a representative from the Provincial government to provide overall supervision and guidance for this project. The members of the Board will initially include representatives from other units, organizations, provincial government agencies playing a key role in DRR and climate change.

The Project Board may decide to establish a Technical Advisory Team comprising individuals with necessary expertise to provide technical advice to the Board and the Project Management Unit. Should it be formed, the Technical Advisory Team will be appointed and funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through this project. A Project Management Unit (PMU) shall comprise an Executive Officer, and a core team of professionals plus administrative support staff.

The DRR Project Board directs and guides the project

The overall project implementation will be the responsibility of the Office of the University President and will be supported by relevant provincial/ administrative units corresponding to the particular components of the project.

The funding institution serves as the partner agency with the main responsibilities to provide technical guidance, and oversight. This is to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with best practices and with their corresponding rules and regulations. The support provided will include the following components:

• Human resource management, including recruitment and contracting of international technical advisors, national professional staff, program support and monitoring staff.

Gender specialist’s insight and assistance will also be provided to help implement the project;

• Support for overall financial management;

• Technical assistance in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction and other relevant practice areas; and

• Management of knowledge generated during the course of project implementation.

Delivery Arrangements

The implementation units will in turn arrange for the delivery of the various activities of this project within their respective project components (outputs) to be undertaken through partnerships with local and national authorities, national NGOs, civil society groups, the private sector, and international organizations.

Coordination Arrangements

The project will be managed by the Project Management Unit overseeing the attainment, coordination, and synergies of each of the outputs of the project. At the next levels, coordination will be one of the main imperatives for the Project Board.

The DRR Working Group is a potential nucleus to develop into a multi-stakeholder Provincial Platform for Climate Change and Disaster Management.

Part IV. Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring Framework

An overall monitoring framework will be designed to ensure effective multi-stakeholders’ (government, civil society, community, donors) monitoring of activities supported by the program, through on-site monitoring, regular reporting, and financial expenditure tracking.

The monitoring framework for this program is intended to ensure that there is:

Results-Orientation. or appropriate measurement and assessment of program performance to effectively improve it and achieve results.

Quality Assurance. in project activities supported by the programme to ensure the best possible benefits for beneficiaries, through monitoring delivery and identification of issues that need corrective action and to be able to provide additional assistance early.

Accountability. in the use of program resources through heavy emphasis on financial reviews to make sure that funds are being appropriately used to achieve project outputs, and that the implementing agents have sufficient controls in place to demonstrate that funds are being used appropriately;

Transparency. in program activities, finances, and results.

Learning. with learning mechanisms for purposes of improving ongoing implementation and guiding new initiatives, and identifing key lessons learned and success stories from program implementation in relation to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into the development planning, curriculum development, and implementation processes.

Monitoring of Project Implementation

The monitoring of project implementation (including financial) will focus on the analysis of inputs, processes, results of the project, and synthesis of lessons learned. The main output is regular reports of project progress (narrative and financial), including issues and challenges; lessons learned; recommendations, and follow up.

Monitoring of Project Results

The monitoring of project results assesses the progress of specific outputs that emerge from the implementation of project activities; synthesizes lessons learned at the output level; and provides feedback on the implementation of the project. These periodically produced reports analyze the extent to which the expected outputs have been achieved and/or are being achieved.

Assessment as to whether or not the project results would contribute to the development outcome; synthesis of lessons learned at objective level; and identification of feedbacks of overall performance are the main emphasis of results monitoring. Periodic (quarterly and annually) reports analyzing the results of the project and their contributions to the development outcome through the analysis of achievements of project objectives are one of the main outputs.

The Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the students, constituents of the province in the whole Samar island and the constituents includings its municipality and barangays in particular. The local government unit concerned, schools and other sectors of the community will also benefit from the services provided by the project implementers and the project. It is also expected that all the 24 municipalities of the Province of Northern Samar and other provinces in Samar island and their corresponding barangays will gain knowledge and skills during the implementation of the project. It is not remote that collaborating agencies and units including partner government and Non-Government Organizations will benefit from this project including schools and academic institutions.

The proponent organization which is the University of Eastern Philippines of Northern Samar and its partner NGO will benefit from the competence and credibility of the development interventions, catalyzing the same at the community level.

Linkages

The University of Eastern Philippines headed by its President together with the provincial government of Northern Samar headed by the Provincial Governor together with the Center for Environmental Studies and Advocacy (CESA) and the Northern Samar Environmental Protectors Inc. (NSEP) are the imperative actors in the implementation of this project. Through the Sanguniang Panlalawigan the promulgation of a pertinent ordinance is expected; and the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development , Engineering, Land Use Zoning Office and other units/ offices needed by the Provincial Governor is likewise expected to extend assistance in the formulation and integration of such project into their programs. These are mandates which will strengthen the implementation and sustainability of the present project.

The University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) through the Center for Environmental Studies and Advocacy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will also be able to mobilize its technical assistance in the project and management as has been proved by their collaborative efforts with other fund assistance.

Republic of the Philippines

CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ADVOCACY

OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

University of Eastern Philippines

Catarman, Northern Samar

November 20, 2013

DR. PATRICIA B. LICUANAN

Chairperson

Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Madam:

We are submitting our proposal on the establishment of the “ CENTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT”, This will serve as the regional implementing arm and partner in the implementation of Republic Act 9163, Climate Change Act and RA 10101, the DRR Act with the National Climate Change Commission, this Center will be involved in planning, research, extension, and other developmental efforts to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

The University of Eastern Philippines has proven its worth in catering to the needs of communities in terms of environmental advocacy it having been declared as the Regional Winner in the search for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Schools.

This project is also in support of RA 9512 known as “An Act to Promote Environmental Awareness through Environmental Education and For Other Purposes”, wherein priority programs, projects, and activities will also be developed to address the urgent and immediate needs and concerns not only of academic institutions but also of all sectors in the communities of Region VIII.

Hoping this proposal will merit for your favorable perusal and funding support.